Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), asking for the extradition of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom.
Diezani and former chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Jide Omokore, are alleged to have accepted and given gifts in properties located at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos.
A five-count charge was brought against them before a high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, bordering on conspiracy and illegally accepting and giving gratification.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offences are contrary to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
They were supposed to be arraigned by the commission yesterday but the prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, informed the court that the EFCC has written to the AGF seeking the extradition of Diezani from the UK.
Justice Valentine Ashi had on December 4, 2018, ordered the EFCC and other security agencies to ensure that the former petroleum minister is brought to court 72 hours after she returns to Nigeria, for her to face the fraud charges.
Abdullahi said: “The commission has written the AGF, on the extradition process so as to enable her face trial, as she is still in the United Kingdom.”
The letter, titled, “Letter of request to extradite Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom,” was received by the office of the AGF on December 14, 2018.
It read in part: “In view of the foregoing, I humbly request the Attorney-General of the Federation to make an extradition request to the relevant authority in the United Kingdom to initiate process of extraditing Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to stand trial.”